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19 Jun 2017

A CLERGY HUSBAND'S SURVIVAL GUIDE.

A CLERGY HUSBAND'S SURVIVAL GUIDEby MATTHEW CAMINEROR as Mr T's vicar re-titled it .....BACK COVER BLURB:Women now comprise almost half the priests serving in the Church of England. As a result, there are many male clergy spouses who have had to come to terms with the seismic shift that occurs in family life when a wife embarks on the journey from exploration of vocation - through selection, training and formation - to ordination and a life of ministry.The author had his own busy career when he suddenly found himself playing second fiddle rather than being the 'doer' in the household. Not only did this subtly affect his marriage, but as friends and acquaintances became 'parishioners', he was required to respect boundaries, to be discreet and often to carry the burden of unsought confidentiality.Drawing on these experiences and those of many fellow clergy spouses, this volume is a practical, informative and engaging guide to the joys and challenges of being married to a vicar. Part one deals with the process from initial call to ordination and beyond. Part two helps clergy husbands work through what their new role might involve. Part three looks at lifestyle and family issues, while Part four offers support and sensible advice if things go wrong.FIRST SENTENCE {INTRODUCTION}: One Sunday afternoon a few weeks after Miriam's ordination, the doorbell rang.MEMORABLE MOMENT: Please accept my apologies but for various reasons I won't be including my Memorable Moment.SOURCE: A gift from Mr T's vicar. Depending on when I get around to posting this, on whether or not it is before or after the 24th of June, Mr T will either (A) be about to be ordained or (B) will have been ordained.READ FOR: Not applicable.MY THOUGHTS: A book that though largely aimed at the clergy husband many sections equally apply to the clergy wife as well. Indeed I'd even go as far as to say many will apply to the vicar him/herself. Readable (I liked the fact there was no deep theology), humorous yet informative and practical (I particularly liked the chapters dealing with the issues surrounding the identity of being a clergy husband ... or indeed wife) BUT it has to be said some of the content did leave me worrying about things I hadn't thought to worry about before ... and believe me when it came to worrying I thought I had just about every eventuality covered. Then there was the fact that, obviously a Christian himself, the book didn't delve into what happens when your spouse is of a different/no faith or indeed of the same sex ... but then that really is a whole other story.

There are many female clergy in the Episcopal Church as well. One of the contributors to an annual devotional book I've read for years is a "clergy-husband" and he has addressed issues about that on more than one occasion.

Have confidence. This will all fall into place and work out well. I believe that!

Tracy,First, congratulations toMr. T. on his upcoming ordination.But further, as someone withouta religion or faith, I am uncertainwhat to say. But I think that bothyour very personal review and thebook address heartfelt and interestingissues.Raven

Good luck to Mr. T on his ordination and I hope all goes well for you both! I liked your point about the fact the book didn't delve into spouses who aren't of the same faith/a different faith or even same-sex as I would have been interested to see those issues discussed too. Missed your Memorable Moment form this week but can understand why if this one hits home to you. Also, I tagged you in the Mystery Blogger Award - the link is here and should take you to the post: http://bit.ly/2tdlDEe - Tasha

TRANSLATE

LITTLE KITTY THE CAT BURGLAR {CHAPTER 1 WRITTEN BY YOURS TRULY}

THE MEMBER OF A VERY SPECIAL TRIBE.

A Geordie lass, rumoured to have been born with a paperback in my hand, I spend my days reading and reviewing books here on Pen and Paper. A lover of hedgehogs as well as cats, I also enjoy writing and receiving letters and am quite the movie buff. My taste in films almost as eclectic as my tastes in novels!

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ADOPTED 26TH APRIL 2014.

A GEORDIE LASS AN' PROUD OF IT.

As Douglas Adams almost said, ‘Far away in the uncharted backwaters of the once unfashionable North-East of England lies an often-unregarded civilisation. Orbiting this at a distance of a few hundred miles is the rest of the British Isles. The life forms inhabiting this area are often thought of as primitive as they still think wearing warm clothing is a pretty sissy thing to do.’

TIS TRUE, I ONLY HAVE A KITCHEN BECAUSE IT CAME WITH THE HOUSE.

THE READING LOG OF YOURS TRULY .....

CURRENTLY READING ... Zelda's Cut by Philippa Gregory

LAST READ ...Carved In Bone by Jefferson Bass

NEXT ... Ginger Kid by Steve Hofstetter

TOTAL NUMBER OF BOOKS READ & REVIEWED ... 974*

TOTAL NUMBER OF PAGES READ AND REVIEWED ... 271,441

NUMBER OF BOOKS READ & REVIEWED ON BEHALF OF THE AUTHOR/PUBLISHER ... 13**

* These totals are a record ALL books read from the onset of Pen and Paper in April 2009 including those received from authors/publishers both pre and post January 2018 to the present day.

** This total is a record of all books read and reviewed on behalf of the author/publisher SINCE January 2018 to the present day. TT